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What is the perfect dosage of chlorine dioxide products?
Clean and germ-free drinking water is the foundation of our health. Whether hiking, travelling or in crisis situations – mobile drinking water treatment is an essential topic. But especially when using chlorine dioxide products such as MMS Classic, CDSplus or CDSpure, the question often arises: “How do I dose correctly so that my water is safe but also pleasant in taste?”
This question is asked of us regularly – and that is entirely understandable. Anyone who wants to use chlorine dioxide for water treatment naturally wants to know how much they need to work safely and effectively. Unfortunately, we cannot give a blanket, universally valid answer – and there is a good reason for that.
Why is there no exact dosage specification?
As a private individual, you generally do not have access to a biological laboratory to precisely measure the actual germ load of water. The number of germs in water cannot be assessed by its outward appearance alone:
- Cloudy or visibly dirty water can actually have a comparatively low germ load.
- Visually completely clear and clean water, on the other hand, can be heavily contaminated with germs – bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms are simply not visible to the naked eye.
This means: the visual quality of water says little to nothing about its actual microbiological contamination.
Why is the correct dosage so important?
Chlorine dioxide is a highly effective oxidising agent that reliably eliminates bacteria, viruses, fungi and legionella. A dosage that is too low could allow germs to survive, while a dosage that is too high impairs the taste of the water. The rule of thumb is: as much as necessary, as little as possible.
The correct dosage in practice: Better slightly more than too little
To be on the safe side, in practice the dosage is generally set somewhat higher than the purely theoretical minimum values. This may sound concerning at first – but it is not. The active ingredient chlorine dioxide is very well tolerated when used correctly and behaves in water as follows:
- Chlorine dioxide encounters germs → It oxidises the microorganisms and renders them harmless.
- Chlorine dioxide breaks down → After reacting with germs, chlorine dioxide generally breaks down into small amounts of oxygen and table salt (sodium chloride) – both harmless substances.
- Excess chlorine dioxide off-gasses → Unused chlorine dioxide gas escapes from uncovered water into the surrounding air after a short time. No significantly elevated residue therefore remains in the water.
For these reasons, the guideline values stated in the product description can safely be increased several times over in practice, in order to reliably rule out residual contamination.
Recommended dosage for 1 litre of water
Depending on the product, we recommend the following reference values:
| Product | Recommended amount per litre of water |
|---|---|
| MMS CLASSIC | 2–5 activated drops |
| CDSplus / CDSpure | 1–3 ml of the activated solution |
The range is explained by the varying possible germ load of the water. For more heavily contaminated water (e.g. from natural springs, rainwater or unsafe pipe networks), the higher dosage is recommended.
On the page Dosage of Chlorine Dioxide Products you will also find more information on dosages and quantities. Of particular interest is the range of different dosage recommendations by country.
Conversion guide: MMS CLASSIC to CDSplus
Many of our customers ask how the two products compare to each other. Here is the simple rule of thumb:
3 activated drops of MMS CLASSIC (No.1) ≈ 1 ml CDSplus / CDSpure
CDSplus and CDSpure are already pre-activated solutions and are therefore somewhat more convenient to handle, as no separate activation step is required. MMS CLASSIC, on the other hand, offers a longer shelf life for the individual components and is only activated shortly before use.
Conclusion
There is no universal standard dose, as every water source is individual. The recommended quantities are guideline values that can be adjusted upwards in practice without any safety risk arising. When in doubt, the rule is: better to dose a little more generously and make sure the water is fully treated.
Treating 1 litre of water is remarkably straightforward with products from AQUARIUS pro life. While with MMS Classic one activated drop is the baseline measure, CDSplus and CDSpure shine through their purity and taste neutrality at minimal drop dosage.
Discover our value sets and dosing aids in the shop now, so you are perfectly equipped for your next adventure!
Click here for the chlorine dioxide products
Note: Use biocidal products with care. Always read the label and product information before use.
